Senior Pet Care in Boynton Beach, FL, From Your Local Vet

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Boynton Beach is a vet in Boynton Beach, FL, that cares for older dogs and cats, usually from about age 7. Senior pets change faster than young ones, so the vet often suggests a checkup every six months and yearly blood work to spot kidney, thyroid, joint and dental problems early.

Large dogs age sooner than small dogs and cats. A Great Dane may be a senior at 6, while a small terrier might not slow down until 10.

Call (561) 200-1214, book online or walk in.

When is my dog or cat a senior?

Most cats and small to medium dogs count as seniors at about 7 years old, and large breeds a year or two earlier. Age alone isn't the point, though. Watch for changes like these, and tell the vet at Petfolk Boynton Beach:

• Drinking or peeing more

• Weight loss, or weight gain with less activity

• Stiff legs, trouble with stairs, or not jumping on the couch

• Bad breath or chewing on one side

• Cloudy eyes or bumping into things

• Confusion at night, pacing or new accidents in the house

• New lumps under the skin

What does a senior checkup include?

At Petfolk Boynton Beach, a senior visit covers:

1. A full exam, with extra time on the heart, joints, eyes, mouth and belly.

2. Weight and body condition, tracked visit to visit.

3. Blood work and a urine test, often run in the in-house lab, to check the kidneys, liver, thyroid and blood sugar.

4. Blood pressure, especially for older cats.

5. A pain check. Older pets often hide sore joints, and treatment can make a big difference.

Across Petfolk, senior cats are about twice as likely to get blood work at a wellness visit as younger adult cats (34% vs 18%, Oct 2025 to Sep 2026). That screening often finds kidney or thyroid problems before a cat shows clear signs.

Appreciate the honest assessment of my old dog’s health and options for treatment.

Stephan G., Google review

How can I keep my older pet comfortable at home?

Small changes help a lot:

• Put rugs or yoga mats on tile floors, which are slippery for stiff legs.

• Use a ramp or step for the bed, couch or car.

• Keep water bowls in more than one room.

• Walk early in the morning, when it's cooler, and keep walks shorter in summer heat. Older dogs overheat faster.

• Feed measured meals. Extra weight puts strain on old joints.

Fear Free handling is standard at every Petfolk clinic, and the team gives older pets soft padding, slow movements and breaks during the exam.

What does senior care cost?

A wellness exam starts at $99 at Petfolk Boynton Beach, or is free with PetfolkCare, which starts at $199 a year and covers routine visits. Blood work, urine tests and medicine are priced separately. You'll get an estimate before any test or treatment. The final bill can differ if the plan changes during the visit.

Living well with long-term conditions

Many senior pets live for years with arthritis, kidney disease, thyroid disease or diabetes. The vet at Petfolk Boynton Beach builds a plan you can manage at home, with rechecks to adjust medicine as needed. The on-site pharmacy fills many long-term prescriptions.

When the time comes to talk about quality of life, the team will talk you through it honestly and gently.

Signs that need help now

Call the clinic the same day if your senior pet stops eating, vomits more than once, or seems in pain. Collapse, trouble breathing or a sudden inability to stand need a 24-hour emergency hospital, such as Veterinary Emergency Group (VEG) on North Congress Avenue in Boynton Beach.

Book a senior visit

Petfolk Veterinary & Urgent Care - Boynton Beach is at 7375 Boynton Beach Blvd, Suite 435, Boynton Beach, FL 33437. Call (561) 200-1214. See blood work and lab testing in Boynton Beach and dental care in Boynton Beach.

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